R: “Herbie” Hemphill receiving the June Roughley Memorial Lecture“ memento. (Photo courtesy Karlene Brummer)1
The community of Galston recently gathered for a captivating exploration of local heritage, beginning with the celebrated annual June Roughley Memorial Lecture and concluding with the anticipation of a deep dive into the engineering and history of Galston Gorge.
The Memorial Lecture, delivered by renowned culinary expert Ian “Herbie” Hemphill, provided a fascinating look into “My Life In Spices.” Attended by over a hundred guests, the afternoon served as a delightful occasion for rekindling old friendships, offering insights into the global history of herbs and spices, and providing welcome inspiration for home cooking. Hemphill’s family business, which began as Somerset Cottage at Round Corner, grew into a global operation that significantly influenced Australian dietary education and publishing.
The rugged and beautiful Galston Gorge is a defining geographical feature of the district. Depending on one’s perspective, it serves either as a natural barrier limiting suburban expansion to the west or as a challenging choke-point on the journey to Hornsby. Regardless of how it’s viewed, the Gorge stands as a remarkable feat of early engineering, an ever-changing sanctuary of natural beauty, and historically, a crucial element that allowed the local community to flourish as a leading producer of citrus fruit.
The next significant event for local history enthusiasts is the Society meeting on September 13th. Society President Michael Bell will present his lecture, “The Archaeology of Galston Gorge.” Given the high speed of modern traffic through the gorge, the historical features that tell its story are often missed. However, Mr. Bell has spent years meticulously photographing remaining structures and interviewing long-time residents, preserving the history embedded in the landscape. This upcoming session offers another vital opportunity for the public to learn about and contribute their own recollections to the rich local history.
In other society news, the archiving work at History Cottage is progressing well. The cottage remains open for visitors to inspect its facilities and research collections on the last Sunday of every month, between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. It houses extensive research resources, including early Colonial records and a large collection of historical photographs.
The Society’s meetings are held at the Galston Uniting Church on School Road, Galston. Entry is free. For enquiries, the public can contact 02 9653 1365.
